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Director of Higher Education Finance Policy

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

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Date:  Sep 27, 2025
Location: 

Springfield, IL, US, 62701

Job Requisition ID:  49499

Job Requisition ID: 49499
Closing Date: 09/29/2025
​Agency: Illinois Board of Higher Education
Class Title: DIRECTOR - 68920 
Skill Option: None 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Starting salary commensurate with experience, within the range of $115,000/yr - max $147,500/yr
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Sangamon; Adams; Alexander; Bond; Boone; Brown; Bureau; Calhoun; Carroll; Cass; Champaign; Christian; Clark; Clay; Clinton; Coles; Cook; Crawford; Cumberland; DeKalb; DeWitt; Douglas; DuPage; Edgar; Edwards; Effingham; Fayette; Ford; Franklin; Fulton; Gallatin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Henderson; Henry; Iroquois; Jackson; Jasper; Jefferson; Jersey; Jo Daviess; Johnson ; Kane; Kankakee; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lake; Lawrence; Lee; Livingston; Logan; Macon; Macoupin; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Mason; Massac; McDonough; McHenry; McLean; Menard; Mercer; Monroe; Montgomery; Morgan; Moultrie; Ogle; Peoria; Perry; Piatt; Pike; Pope; Pulaski; Putnam; Randolph; Richland; Rock Island; Saline; Schuyler; Scott; Shelby; St. Clair; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Union; Vermilion; Wabash; Warren; Washington; Wayne; White; Whiteside; Will; Williamson; Winnebago; Woodford
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Agency Excluded from Collective Bargaining Coverage


****A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****

 

Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), cover letter, a copy of your transcripts or diploma for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licensures to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. Please note that the Illinois Board of Higher Education must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) before any offer can be extended. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.

 

About the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)

IBHE has been supporting higher education in Illinois for more than 50 years. We are a dedicated team of professionals, overseen by a Board appointed by the Governor, who are working for a strong, equitable higher education system, which we believe is essential for the state to thrive. We work with leaders in colleges, universities, state and federal government agencies, governors, legislators, and other entities to strategically further this mission.

In its strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth, IBHE has identified three goals and 25 strategies to help achieve its vision of a higher education ecosystem that ensures individuals, families, and communities across the state thrive.

  • Equity - Close equity gaps for students who have been left behind.
  • Sustainability - Build a stronger financial future for individuals and institutions.
  • Growth - Increase talent and innovation that drives economic growth.

About the position:

As a member of the IBHE Leadership team, the Director of Higher Education Finance Policy provides oversight of the Fiscal Policy administrative unit; provides leadership in strategic higher education finance, qualitative research, analytics, budgeting, and reporting; Supports strategic planning and policy development; Sets/leads organizational priorities/objectives; sets policy and procedure for defined unit; accountable for overall results and sustainable operation of defined unit.

 

IBHE offers the State's competitive benefit package 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

•            Sets direction, provides direct oversight and oversees execution of assigned unit(s); contributes to agency annual planning, goal setting, budget development, priority development, and Board presentation and reporting (as required); contributes to a collaborative agency culture

•            Oversees review, analysis, synthesis, and presentation of institutional finances and financial risk assessments to inform Board actions, policy and practice changes

•            Oversees implementation, transparency, and accountability for university funding and appropriations

•            Oversees development and implementation of affordability strategies for higher education

•            Oversees development, analysis, modeling, and program implementation for capital planning, including analysis of institution capital master plans, non-instructional capital expenditures, prioritization of capital projects, and progress toward completion for public and private institutional state-funded capital

•            Provides information and analysis to the Governor’s Office and General Assembly regarding budget, financial, and policy-related issues

•            Supervises and mentors a diverse, multi-faceted team; provides leadership for hiring, onboarding, and professional development ensuring their success

•            Develops and provides analytic support for other teams within the agency and collaborates to produce thoughtful agency reports

•            Other duties as assigned, within scope of position

Education and Experience

Required:

•            Master’s degree* in a related field from an accredited Institution

*Three additional years of experience may be substituted for a Master’s degree (PhD preferred)

•            Minimum of 7 years progressively responsible related experience with a minimum of two (2)+ years’ of supervision of professional staff

Knowledge Requirements

•            Significant experience with higher education policy, financial analysis, public budgeting

•            Knowledge of state postsecondary finance policy and budgeting processes, including state funding formulas

•            Understanding of public university finances

Skills and Traits

•            Expert in data analysis, synthesis, visualization and presentation

•            Strong analytical ability and familiarity with advanced financial concepts

•            Demonstrated ability to provide and interpret financial management information and to communicate to non-financial audiences

•            Excellent written and verbal communication skills

•            Collaborative, team-oriented, relationship-focused; Demonstrated ability to support and develop professional staff

•            Problem-solver and self-starter; ability to stay positive and motivated

•            Strong project-management skills; excellent follow-through, and ability to organize and prioritize

•            Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of constituents and stakeholders, including but not limited to Board members, senior government executives, elected officials, institutional officers, and private sector leaders.

•            Commitment to higher education equity goals

•            Demonstrated ability to support and develop professional staff

Organizational Chart

Position reports to the: Managing Director Policy, Research, and Fiscal Analysis

Position has the following direct report(s):

•            Fiscal Analyst(s)

•            Capital Analyst(s)

•            Assistant Director(s) of Budget & Grants

​Work Hours: 8:00am- 4:00pm Mon-Fri
Work Location: 1 N Old State Capitol Plz Springfield, IL 62701-1323*

*IBHE offers remote and hybrid work arrangements, based on position and supervisor discretion. IL Residency is required. Travel within Illinois is expected, as required by the work
Agency Contact: IBHE Human Resources
Email: HumanResources@ibhe.org
Phone #: (217) 782-2551 
Posting Group: Leadership & Management; Education

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com


Nearest Major Market: Springfield

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